Pubdate: Sat, 21 Dec 2002
Source: New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
Contact:  2002 New Zealand Herald
Website: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/300
Author: Vernon Small

POLICE POUR COLD WATER OVER MP'S 'POTSHOT' AT TANCZOS

First-term MP Craig McNair's "potshot" at Nandor Tanczos has failed after 
the police decided not to prosecute the Green MP for using cannabis.

They said yesterday that their review of the New Zealand First MP's 
complaint found that "no criminal offending could be established to the 
requisite standard on the evidence presently available".

They had interviewed Mr Tanczos, who uses cannabis as part of his 
Rastafarian religion.

He had been co-operative and stood by his public statements admitting he 
used the drug.

But he had refused to answer questions about his personal cannabis use, and 
police said that without specific information they could not prove an offence.

"Publicly stating that you intend using cannabis in the future is not an 
offence," said Detective Inspector Harry Quinn.

Mr McNair said he was disappointed at the outcome and denied that his 
complaint had been a political stunt.
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